Foundation Degree - Business Management and Study Skills

This module is designed to provide students with a range of academic literacy skills required for studies at MQF/EQF levels 4, 5 and 6. This module will focus on equipping students with academic language and academic writing, academic literacy and skills needed to be successful in the other modules in the Award in Business, Management and Study Skills, and support their progression to studies in higher education (MQF/EQF Level 5 and 6).

The module will provide students with a thorough grounding in the following key academic skills: reading and comprehension, notetaking, paraphrasing, referencing, English language skills, basic research skills, listening skills, presentation skills, referencing, academic integrity and good academic practice and appraisal of published sources.

Competences

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:

a) Be responsible for autonomous learning and reflective practice

b) Be able to demonstrate academic writing and good academic practice

c) Be able to paraphrase in own words and take effective notes

d) Be responsible for referencing published sources to a recognised referencing convention

e) Be able to write confidently in accepted academic ways and show academic integrity

f) Carry out tasks showing good linguistic and literacy skills that will enable competent communication in business and management at MQF/EQF Level 4

Knowledge

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:

a) How to read, comprehend, paraphrase and take notes from published sources in business and management

b) Effective listening skills and presentation skills

c) How to reference published sources within written text and in the reference section of a written piece of work

d) Good academic writing, academic integrity and good academic practice, and how to avoid different types of academic malpractice

f) How to conduct a literature search and select appropriate published material.

Skills

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:

a) How to apply academic literacy skills to their chosen subject of study

b) How to reference published sources using a recognised referencing system

c) The ability to read and comprehend published sources in their subject of study, taking notes and paraphrasing in own words

d) The ability to conduct basic literature searches and select appropriate publications in their subject of study

e) The ability to demonstrate academic integrity and good academic practice in written work

f) The ability to demonstrate autonomous learning and reflective practice

Module-Specific Learner Skills

At the end of the module/unit the learner will be able to

a) Apply academic writing, academic integrity and good academic practice to their subject of study

b) Paraphrase and take notes from selected published articles resulting from a literature search

c) Practice correct referencing in academic written work

d) Use understanding of academic integrity and good academic practice to avoid academic malpractice, for example, plagiarism

e) Reflect on own learning and be able to demonstrate awareness of resources and study techniquies to enhance their academic development.

Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences

At the end of the module/unit, the learner will be able to

a) Make effective use of communication and information technologies to write essays, paraphrase and write a reflective account

b) Use information technology to demonstrate academic writing

c) Use website searches to access published literature in business and managment.

Formative assessment

Formative activities will be set with the purpose of deepening and assessing students’ understanding of the module content. These will be closely aligned to the summative assessment task to be mutually reinforcing. That is, the teaching effort will be purposefully designed to support students to achieve module learning outcomes. Tutor feedback on the formative activities will identify strengths and areas for enhancement, ensuring students are afforded opportunities to develop and improve their skills as they write their summative assessment.

Examples of formative assessment activities include:

• Paraphrasing task

• Essay writing task

• Multiple choice questions on skills acquired during the module.

Summative assessment

Summative assessment is the final marked work that will be required to be submitted on time. This type of assessment is a graded piece of work. Participants will receive an assessment brief at the beginning of the module that will clearly state the requirements of the assessment task and the assessment criteria used to mark their work. In preparing an assessment for submission participants should read the brief and the assessment criteria carefully to make sure that it is fully understood. Any points that are unclear should be raised with their tutor. The assessment criteria rubric will illustrate how the final mark has been determined.

Students will be required to submit a Portfolio of 1500 words, comprising a Written Instruction Task (500 words), a Paraphrasing Task (250 words), an Essay Writing task (500 words) and a Reflective Writing Task (250 words). The portfolio produced by the student should be contextualised to business and management. The portfolio will be graded as one piece of work.

This module provides an introductory context to and understanding of the different forms of business and the functions of management in coordinating and managing business resources. This module also provides an introduction to various types of businesses alongside establishing key management and organisational functions. In addition, the module will develop an understanding of the key skills important to students’ future career development. The module also enables students to put management in the context of its component parts. This module will also provide an understanding of the principles of analysing the business environment.

Competences

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:

a) Be able to demonstrate different forms and functions of business

b) Categorise different management functions that help in managing a business

c) Be able to advise on what human resources can do to manage talent in a business that creates or supports the development or organisational culture

d) Be able to demonstrate how quantifying market opportunity and strategies to define a product that meets an identified need or want.

Knowledge

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:

a) An understanding of how the businesses interact with political, technological, environmental and legislative spheres and impact on business operations

b) Exploring how to manage and lead a business building on the concepts of management and management functions

c) Understand how to carry out business ethically and to consider environmental and socio-economic impact of management decisions

d) Identifying business globalisation and its impact on the internal and external environment of businesses

e) Understand how management functions and operations support change and how change in the external world is responded to.

f) How the marketing mix and marketing a business support quantifying marketing opportunities.

Skills

a) Teamwork skills through the experience of group activities

b) Communication skills through group presentations of class activities

c) Self-assessment and self-reflection techniques to assess and understand approaches to management

d) Use of literature searches to select appropriate published sources related to busines and the management mindset

e) Use of business case studies to inform and provide insights into business development, management, human resources and marketing

Module-Specific Learner Skills

At the end of the module/unit the learner will be able to

a) Demonstrate a sound understanding of different types of business and approaches to management

b) Apply understanding of management to marketing and human resources

c) Identify factors involved with ethics in business and management

d) Use case studies to highlight issues and topics in business and management.

Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences

At the end of the module/unit, the learner will be able to

a) Make effective use of communication and information technologies to research and write a business and management case study report

b) Use information technology to demonstrate good academic writing skills and academic integrity

c) Understand how to use website searches to access published literature in business and management.

Formative assessment

Formative activities will be set with the purpose of deepening and assessing students’ understanding of the module content. These will be closely aligned to the summative assessment task to be mutually reinforcing. That is, the teaching effort will be purposefully designed to support students to achieve module learning outcomes. Tutor feedback on the formative activities will identify strengths and areas for enhancement, ensuring students are afforded opportunities to develop and improve their skills as they write their summative assessment.

. Draft outlines for written summative assessed work.

Summative assessment

Summative assessment is the final marked work that will be required to be submitted on time. This type of assessment is a graded piece of work. Participants will receive an assessment brief at the beginning of the module that will clearly state the requirements of the assessment task and the assessment criteria used to mark their work. In preparing an assessment for submission participants should read the brief and the assessment criteria carefully to make sure that it is fully understood. Any points that are unclear should be raised with their tutor. The assessment criteria rubric will illustrate how the final mark has been determined.

Summative assessment will consist of two coursework components: First, a case study of a significant merger and/or acquisition (3000 words, weighting 50%). Second, a portfolio of evidence with a 500 commentary on a successful merger and/or acquisition (3000 words, weighting 50%)

The summative assessment will be a written assignment focused on business functions and contemporary challenges or issues faced by businesses and management responses. A written essay of 1500 words using a case study to highlight key points, issues and challenges.

This module is designed to equip students with essential communication and digital literacy skills necessary for success in both academic and professional contexts. Students will examine a range of theories of communication whilst acquiring the skills necessary to engage in succinct, effective communication suitable for professional audiences, about themselves and their chosen subject of study.

In recognition of the demand for digital know-how amongst employers, this module seeks to equip students with digital employability skills to support them in life, learning and work. This module will equip students with the essential communication and digital tools required to communicate effectively as well as providing a baseline from which to apply these tools to professional settings. Students will learn about different types of digital skills and platforms, and how they can be used to communicate a message within and outside organisations as required in the contemporary interconnected and technology driven world.

Students will also understand the impact of cultural diversity on communication, as well as an understanding of how to adapt communication styles appropriately to respect and take account of cultural differences in academic, personal and business settings.

Competences

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:

a) Be able to evidence written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills for effective communication in academic and their chosen subject of study contexts

b) Demonstrate competency in digital literacy and using digital tools, platforms and technologies relevant to academic and their chosen subject of study

c) Be able to demonstrate principles of effective communication by reference to theories and principles of communication

d) Carry out tasks showing the importance of digital skills for communication and how they assist interaction with individuals, teams and organisations

e) Be able to show awareness of diverse communication styles in a range of different contexts.

Knowledge

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:

a) Understand principles of commmunication and apply them to effective communication in academic and different professional settings

b) How to apply digital technologies to academic and work contexts

c) Identify the importance of digital skills for supporting effective communication with individuals, teams and organisations

d) How to adapt coomunication styles and technologies to diverse cultural and global contexts

Skills

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:

a) Teamwork skills through the experience of group activities

b) Communication skills through group presentations of class activities

c) How to use digital tools, platforms and digital technologies as applied to academic and subject contexts

d) How to apply principles of communication to make effective communications.

Module-Specific Learner Skills

At the end of the module/unit the learner will be able to

a) Apply theories of communication and digital communication technologies to academic and different professional contexts

b) Demonstrate competence in written communication skills, including clear and concise writing, appropriate language usage and correct formatting.

c) Demonstrate competence in verbal communication skills through effective presentation delivery, active listening and persuasive speaking

d) Know how to adapt commuinication styles and strategies to diverse cultural and global contexts.

Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences

At the end of the module/unit, the learner will be able to

a) Demonstrate competence in using digital tools, platforms and technologies for academic and professional communication purposes

b) To make appropriate use of, for example, Google Workspace services (Docs, Drive, Gmail, Forms, Calendars), slide presentation software, Blogs/Vlogs, Social media, Moodle and online library resources

c) Demonstrate awareness and understanding of diverse communication styles in different professional environments.

Formative assessment

Formative activities will be set with the purpose of deepening and assessing students’ understanding of the module content. These will be closely aligned to the summative assessment task to be mutually reinforcing. That is, the teaching effort will be purposefully designed to support students to achieve module learning outcomes. Tutor feedback on the formative activities will identify strengths and areas for enhancement, ensuring students are afforded opportunities to develop and improve their skills as they write their summative assessment.

. Draft outlines for written summative assessed work.

Summative assessment

Summative assessment is the final marked work that will be required to be submitted on time. This type of assessment is a graded piece of work. Participants will receive an assessment brief at the beginning of the module that will clearly state the requirements of the assessment task and the assessment criteria used to mark their work. In preparing an assessment for submission participants should read the brief and the assessment criteria carefully to make sure that it is fully understood. Any points that are unclear should be raised with their tutor. The assessment criteria rubric will illustrate how the final mark has been determined.

Summative assessment will consist of two coursework components: First, a case study of a significant merger and/or acquisition (3000 words, weighting 50%). Second, a portfolio of evidence with a 500 commentary on a successful merger and/or acquisition (3000 words, weighting 50%)

The summative assessment will require students to produce a 5-minute Individual Multimedia Presentation in a business context with an accompanying voiceover and fully referenced transcript, articulating the importance of effective communication in business organisations and examining the principles underpinning different forms of effective communication: written, verbal, nonverbal and digital. The presentation must follow a clear and logical structure and use various forms of media (e.g. text, audio, video, visual aids and images, infographics) to enhance clarity and readability, and ensure interaction with the audience.

In this section kindly provide a brief description of the module

A modern business organisation provides goods or services, whether that is to make a profit or not. The common thread in business is that owners and employees strive to satisfy customers. In today’s world of international business, customers are well-informed and have many options regarding what they buy and who they buy from, so a successful business balances satisfying their customers by selling products or providing services.

This module will introduce students to a range of contemporary topics in business and management. Contemporary topics covered in this include: business strategy, sustainability, climate change and carbon neutral, responsible business and business ethics, the growth and importance of e-business, entrepreneurial business and characteristics of entrepreneurs, management of quality and continuous improvement, economics and finance and wellbeing in the workplace.

A range of different types of international businesses will be used as case studies to highlight the contemporary topics given above.

By developing an understanding of contemporary topics in business and management this unit will help students to progress to employment, vocational training and or higher education.

Competences

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:

a) Be able to produce a range of examples of contemporary topis in business and management applied to national and global businesses

b) Be able to demonstrate how cases studies of business organisation exemplify a range of contemporary topics in organisations

c) Be able to demonstrate how entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs are used to develop and change business organisations

d) Be able to apply economics and finance to how a business function

e) Be able to show how wellbeing affects business performance and management

Knowledge

a) An understanding and appreciation of a range of contemporary topics in different types of business organisations

b) How to use case studies of different types of business organisations (public, private and voluntary) highlight contemporary topics in business organisations

c) The importance of, for example, ecomonics, finance, business ethics and wellbeing to business oragnisations

d) How climate change affects organisations and their sustainability.

Skills

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:

a) the importance of interpersonal communication and teamwork through in-class group activities

b) Communication skills through in-class group an individual presentations

c) Use literature searches to select appropriate published sources realted to contemporary topics in business and management

d) Use business case studies to exemplfy and highlight a range of contemporary topics in business and management

Module-Specific Learner Skills

At the end of the module/unit the learner will be able to

a) Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of a range of contemporary topics in business and management

b) Apply case studies of business organisations to identify, highlight and apprecaite the significance of different contemporary topics in business and management

c) Define what is meant by entrepreneurship and chracteristics of entrepreneurs

d) Show an understanding of the importance of strategy, economics and financial practices in an organisation.

Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences

At the end of the module/unit, the learner will be able to

a) Make effective use of communication and information technologies explore in greater depth selected contemporary topics in business and management

b) Use information technology to demonstrate good academic writing skills and academic integrity

c) Understand how to use website searches to access published literature in realted to contemporary topics in business and management.

Formative assessment

Formative activities will be set with the purpose of deepening and assessing students’ understanding of the module content. These will be closely aligned to the summative assessment task to be mutually reinforcing. That is, the teaching effort will be purposefully designed to support students to achieve module learning outcomes. Tutor feedback on the formative activities will identify strengths and areas for enhancement, ensuring students are afforded opportunities to develop and improve their skills as they write their summative assessment.

. Draft outlines for written summative assessed work.

Summative assessment

Summative assessment is the final marked work that will be required to be submitted on time. This type of assessment is a graded piece of work. Participants will receive an assessment brief at the beginning of the module that will clearly state the requirements of the assessment task and the assessment criteria used to mark their work. In preparing an assessment for submission participants should read the brief and the assessment criteria carefully to make sure that it is fully understood. Any points that are unclear should be raised with their tutor. The assessment criteria rubric will illustrate how the final mark has been determined.

Summative assessment will consist of two coursework components: First, a case study of a significant merger and/or acquisition (3000 words, weighting 50%). Second, a portfolio of evidence with a 500 commentary on a successful merger and/or acquisition (3000 words, weighting 50%)

The summative assessment will require students to produce a 5-minute Individual Multimedia Presentation in a business context with an accompanying voiceover and fully referenced transcript, articulating the importance of effective communication in business organisations and examining the principles underpinning different forms of effective communication: written, verbal, nonverbal and digital. The presentation must follow a clear and logical structure and use various forms of media (e.g. text, audio, video, visual aids and images, infographics) to enhance clarity and readability, and ensure interaction with the audience.

This module will enable students to identify study practices, personal qualities, and attributes that are necessary for successful studying and achievement in higher education. This module complements the Developing Academic Skills module. Students will develop self-awareness, reflect on their existing abilities and enhance abilities to enable successful studying and achievement in higher education. This module will also engage students with career planning and identifying career aspirations in a structured and personalised manner.

Competences

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:

a) Carry out self-reflection tasks examining own approach to studying and learning and identifying how to enhance self-learning

b) Be responsible for understanding their self-awareness, personal qualities and attributes when studying

c) Be able to make effective use of feedback as an integral part to inform and improve learning and assessment tasks

d) Be able to show awareness and understanding of different cultural and behavioural expectations of studying and learning

e) Carry out career planning and identifying career aspirations

Knowledge

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:

a) Identifying the importance of self-reflection and self-understanding in approaches to studying and learning

b) Identifying the importance of the effective use of feedback to learning

c) Identify important factors of study groups to effective studying and learning

d) Understand different cultural and behavioural expectations of studying at higher education levels

e) The importance of time management for effective learning and meeting set deadlines

f) Different approaches to career planning and information gathering to create an example of a career plan

Skills

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:

a) Applying self-reflection to understanding approaches to studying and learning

b) Applying time managment skills to effective studying, learning and meeting set deadlines

c) Apply acquired understanding of self-awareness, personal qualities and attributes to studying and learning

d) How to develop a career plan including information gathering.

Module-Specific Learner Skills

At the end of the module/unit the learner will be able to

a) Apply the use of study groups to effective learning

b) Demonstrate continual enhancement and improvement to their study and learning practices

c) Apply an understanding of cultural and behavioural expectations to learning to their own approach to studying and learning

d) demonstrate how to write a career plan and tasks needed to achieve career aspirations.

Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences

At the end of the module/unit, the learner will be able to

a) Make effective use of information technologies to produce a portfolio

b) Use word processing, presentation software (Powerpoint) and other software applications to support and demonstrate learning

c) Use web searches to explore in further depth topics such as self-awareness, self-reflection, cultural differences, career planning, etc, as applied to studying and learning.

Formative assessment

Formative activities will be set with the purpose of deepening and assessing students’ understanding of their learning methods. These will be closely aligned to the summative assessment task to be mutually reinforcing. That is, the teaching effort will be purposefully designed to support students to achieve module learning outcomes. Tutor feedback on the formative activities will identify strengths and areas for enhancement, ensuring students are afforded opportunities to develop and improve their skills as they write their summative assessment.

Examples of formative assessment activities include:

• Self-reflection on approaches to learning and studying

• Time management and meeting deadlines

• How to make effective use of feedback and how to give constructive feedback

• Action planning to achieve objectives

• Career aspirations and plans

As far as possible these should be produced in a business and management context.

Summative assessment

Summative assessment is the final marked work that will be required to be submitted on time. This type of assessment is a graded piece of work. Participants will receive an assessment brief at the beginning of the module that will clearly state the requirements of the assessment task and the assessment criteria used to mark their work. In preparing an assessment for submission participants should read the brief and the assessment criteria carefully to make sure that it is fully understood. Any points that are unclear should be raised with their tutor. The assessment criteria rubric will illustrate how the final mark has been determined.

Summative assessment will consist of two coursework components: First, a case study of a significant merger and/or acquisition (3000 words, weighting 50%). Second, a portfolio of evidence with a 500 commentary on a successful merger and/or acquisition (3000 words, weighting 50%)

The summative assessment will require students to produce a 5-minute Individual Multimedia Presentation in a business context with an accompanying voiceover and fully referenced transcript, articulating the importance of effective communication in business organisations and examining the principles underpinning different forms of effective communication: written, verbal, nonverbal and digital. The presentation must follow a clear and logical structure and use various forms of media (e.g. text, audio, video, visual aids and images, infographics) to enhance clarity and readability, and ensure interaction with the audience.

The overall aim of this module is to develop in students an understanding of how to create and deliver specific project objectives in business and management, together with the necessary resources to deliver a project on time and budget.

This module will provide students with a sound understanding and insights into undertaking a project in business and management. This module will provide students with skills and knowledge required for setting up a clear and informed project rationale with specific objectives and associated measurable project tasks. Students will be introduced to the importance of set a budget for a project and how to monitor as a project progresses. This practical introduction to how to manage a project will allow students to identify how to communicate progress at each stage of the project.

Competences

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:

a) Create and present a business project proposal

b) Be able to carry out tasks associated with different stages of a business project

c) Produce a project plan with project aims timescales and tools for monitoring progress

d) Collaborate with peers when developing a project proposal

Knowledge

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:

a) Be able to develop a business project proposal using published literature to justify the relevance of the project

b) Describe the various stages with timescales related to a business project

c) An understanding of how to conduct a business project and how to monitor progress with achieving project aims

d) How to write a business project proposal including budgetting considerations

e) Identify constraints, challenges and issues with their business project proposal

Skills

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:

a) How to used published literature and business case studies to inform the development of a business project proposal

b) How to apply good practice in business project managment to developing and monitoring a project proposal

c) The importance of setting clear project objectives taking into account budget considerations

d) How to write a project proposal and make a presentation

Module-Specific Learner Skills

At the end of the module/unit the learner will be able to

a) Devise a business project identifying aims, outcomes, timescales and giving consideration to budgetting

b) Identify challenges and issues facing a business project

c) Write a project proposal to accepted conventions and standards

d) Use business project case studies to understand business projects and what can go wrong.

Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences

At the end of the module/unit, the learner will be able to

a) Use online literature searches to select material and cases studies to help inform the development of a business project proposal

b) Make effective use of powerpoint to present a business project proposal

c) Use information technology to demonstrate academic writing skills

Formative assessment

Formative activities will be set with the purpose of deepening and assessing students’ understanding of their learning methods. These will be closely aligned to the summative assessment task to be mutually reinforcing. That is, the teaching effort will be purposefully designed to support students to achieve module learning outcomes. Tutor feedback on the formative activities will identify strengths and areas for enhancement, ensuring students are afforded opportunities to develop and improve their skills as they write their summative assessment.

Examples of formative assessment activities include:

• Producing a draft project proposal

• Specifying project aims and timescales

• Budget considerations

• Headings for a project report

As far as possible these should be produced in a business and management context.

Summative assessment

Summative assessment is the final marked work that will be required to be submitted on time. This type of assessment is a graded piece of work. Participants will receive an assessment brief at the beginning of the module that will clearly state the requirements of the assessment task and the assessment criteria used to mark their work. In preparing an assessment for submission participants should read the brief and the assessment criteria carefully to make sure that it is fully understood. Any points that are unclear should be raised with their tutor. The assessment criteria rubric will illustrate how the final mark has been determined.

Summative assessment will consist of two coursework components: First, a case study of a significant merger and/or acquisition (3000 words, weighting 50%). Second, a portfolio of evidence with a 500 commentary on a successful merger and/or acquisition (3000 words, weighting 50%)

The summative assessment will require students to produce a 5-minute Individual Multimedia Presentation in a business context with an accompanying voiceover and fully referenced transcript, articulating the importance of effective communication in business organisations and examining the principles underpinning different forms of effective communication: written, verbal, nonverbal and digital. The presentation must follow a clear and logical structure and use various forms of media (e.g. text, audio, video, visual aids and images, infographics) to enhance clarity and readability, and ensure interaction with the audience.